Trash bag supporting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A trash bag supporting apparatus comprises a support ring having a circular cylindrical interior surface extending at a predetermined angle for receiving the openable end of a trash bag therethrough with the trash bag draped around the surface. A pressure ring has a circular cylindrical exterior surface extending at the same angle as the surface of the support ring for securing the trash bag in an open configuration and for preventing the trash bag from falling through the support ring upon the receipt of trash therein.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

Applicant claims priority based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/910,695 filed Apr. 9, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to trash receptacles, and more particularly to devices for supporting trash bags and maintaining openings at the upper ends thereof for receiving waste.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Traditional waste receptacles comprise an outer structure such as a can or basket and a trash bag set inside the outer structure through an opening in the top thereof. The open upper end of the trash bag is generally stretched and folded over the upper edge of the outer container, and a tie or knot is sometimes placed in any extra bag material to tighten the bag's seal around the container. When items are placed into the bag and the weight within the bag begins to pull the top of the bag down the seal is easily loosened or lost causing the top of the bag to collapse and fall into the container. Re-fastening the top of the bag around the container may or may not occur before more items are put into the container resulting in an undesirable outcome.

After the trash bag is filled it must be lifted out of the container through the opening in the top of the container. Items inside the trash bag often compact together thereby stretching the sides of the trash bag thereby preventing the filled bag from being easily lifted through the opening at the top of the container. Often a bag will tear when an item is pushing outward against the bag causing the bag to catch on or below the surface of the container opening as the filled bag is being removed from the container. If the filled bag is successfully lifted and removed from the container without tearing or spilling trash deposited therein, the filled bag must then be transported to a trash collection site which may be a large waste collection container, a dumpster, or the like. The task of transporting the filled trash bag be difficult for some persons as not everyone has the strength or ability or desire to lift a filled trash bag and carry it to a larger waste collection container.

Alternatively, trash bags are not always placed in a container. For example, although a lawn and leaf trash bag may stand on its own it is usually difficult to keep the top of the bag open while placing trash therein. After the bag is filled the top must be folder over and the filled bag must be transported to a designated area for pickup or disposal. Although lawn clippings, leaves, and the like which are generally deposited into lawn and leaf trash bags are light in weight a bag filled with such materials is generally bulky in size and the quantity of trash filling the bag can have a substantial weight thereby making the filled bag cumbersome and difficult to transport.

The present invention comprises an devices for supporting trash bags which overcome the foregoing and other difficulties which have long since characterized the prior art. In accordance with specific aspects of the invention a trash bag supporting device comprises an open frame having a bag support ring incorporated thereon. A trash bag is extended through the ring, the upper perimeter of the bag is folded over the ring, and a pressure ring is placed over the bag and support ring to maintain the bag in engagement with the frame. Once the bag is filled the pressure ring is removed and the upper perimeter of the bag may be pulled beneath the support ring thereby enabling the bag to be removed without requiring the bag be lifted through the confined area of the support ring. The bag is easily removed from the frame without the risk of tearing and without requiring the strength to lift a heavy filled trash bag.

In accordance with specific aspects of one embodiment of the invention the frame comprises an upper portion and a lower portion which are adjustably coupled together. The upper portion telescopes between different pre-defined positions enabling the apparatus to accommodate various sizes of trash bags. A lid engages the pressure ring and provides a cover over the trash bag. The lower portion of the frame may comprise a set of wheels thereby enabling the apparatus to be transported with the trash bag supported therein thereby facilitating transport of a filled trash bag to a larger waste collection container or location.

Other embodiments of the invention comprise otherwise conventional trash bag receiving containers that are equipped with the support ring and the pressure ring of the present invention. A lid may be engaged with the interior surface of the pressure ring to prevent vermin from entering and odors from escaping from trash bags supported in accordance with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trash bag supporting apparatus comprising one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the trash bag supporting apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the upper portion of the trash bag supporting apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the pressure ring engaged with the upper end of a trash bag thereby maintaining the trash bag in an open configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the trash bag supporting apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in a storage position;

FIG. 5 is side view of the trash bag supporting apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in a multiple positions for receiving various sizes of trash bags;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional trash receiving container equipped with the support ring, the pressure ring, and the lid of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view illustrating a conventional trash receiving container equipped with the support ring, the pressure ring, and the lid of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating yet another conventional trash receiving container equipped with the support ring and the pressure ring of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a further illustration of the trash bag of FIG. 8; and receiving container

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a trash bag supporting device equipped with the support ring, the pressure ring, and the lid of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a trash bag supporting apparatus 10 comprising one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus comprises an open frame 12 having an upper portion 14 and a lower portion 16. The upper portion 14 comprises an upper support wall 18 having a support ring 20 extending perpendicularly therefrom for receiving and supporting a trash bag T. The lower portion 16 comprises a lower support wall 22 and a base 24 extending perpendicularly therefrom for further supporting the trash bag T. The upper portion 12 is adjustably fastened on the lower portion 14 and telescopes vertically in relation thereto such that the frame 12 may be adjusted to different heights to accommodate various sizes of trash bags. Wheels 26 secured to the lower portion 16 enable the apparatus 10 to be moved while supporting the trash bag T.

After placing a trash bag T through the support ring 20 the upper perimeter of the bag T is folded over the support ring 20 and a pressure ring 28 is then placed thereover and pressed downward until the pressure ring 28 seats within the support ring 20. The pressure ring 28 thereafter maintains the trash bag T in mating engagement with the support ring 20 and thus the apparatus 10. A lid 30 provides a covering over the top of the trash bag T and provides further downward pressure on the pressure ring 28 and support ring 20. To remove the trash bag T from the apparatus 10 the pressure ring 28 is lifted from the support ring 20, the upper perimeter of the bag T is lowered through the support ring 20, and the bag T is removed by pulling the bag T horizontally outward from within the frame 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an exploded perspective view of the trash bag supporting apparatus 10. The upper portion 14 and the lower portion 16 of the frame 12 are adjustably fastened by a bracket 34 secured to the lower support wall 22 by a threaded fastener 36 extending through an aperture 38 in the lower support wall 22. The upper support wall 18 telescopes vertically in relation to the lower support wall 22 and nests over the lower support wall 22 when the frame 12 is assembled together for receiving a trash bag therein. Threaded fasteners 40 extend through one of a plurality of sets of apertures 42 a and 42 b, through the apertures 44 in the lower support wall 22 and into threaded engagement with the bracket 34. The plurality of sets of apertures 42 a and 42 b facilitate securing the upper portion 14 at different heights in relation to the lower portion 18 in order for the frame 12 to accommodate various sizes of trash bags.

The upper portion comprises an upper lip 46 beneath the support ring 20 for providing horizontal support to a trash bag within the frame 12 and also for securing the upper portion 14 to the lower portion 16 in a storage configuration as will be discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4. The lower portion 16 comprises a lower lip 48 on the base 24 for providing horizontal support to a trash bag within the frame 12 and also for securing the upper portion 14 to the lower portion 16 in a storage configuration as will be discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4.

A handle 50 is provided at the upper end of the upper portion 14 and is supported by a dowel 52 extending therethough which is in turn secured by a nut 56 or other suitable fastening means known to those skilled in the art. The wheels 26 are secured to the lower portion 16 by an axle pin 60 and fasteners 62, or other suitable fastening means known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a sectional view of the upper portion 14 of the frame 12. As shown therein, the support ring 20, pressure ring 28, and lid 30 each have an inward conical shape such that all three components nest within and matingly engage each other. The mating shapes enable the apparatus 10 to support trash bags of various thickness and weight while maintaining a secure fit of the bag about the support ring 20 such that a bag will not slip or lose engagement between the pressure ring 28 and support ring 20, no matter the weight or amount of trash placed within the bag. Accordingly, the frame 12 may comprise polymers, lightweight metals, and various other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown the apparatus 10 in a storage and transport configuration. The upper portion 14 of the frame 12 may be inverted such that the upper lip 46 is received in an opening in the lower support wall 22 and the lower lip 48 is received in the upper support wall 18. The apparatus 10 is thereby configured in a more compact orientation for easier storage and transport without a trash bag therein.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown the apparatus 10 with the upper portion 14 telescoped into two different positions relative to the lower portion 16 for accommodating different sizes of trash bags that may be used with the apparatus 10.

FIG. 6 illustrates an otherwise conventional trash bag receiving container 70 that is provided with upper walls 72 which are equipped with the support ring 28 of the present invention. In use conventional trash bags are extended downwardly through the pressure rings 28 until the closed ends of the trash bags engage the floor 74 of the container 70. The openable ends of the trash bags are flared outwardly around the support ring 28. Thereafter the pressure ring 28 of the present invention are engaged with the interior surface of the trash bag to retain the trash bags in an open figuration and to prevent the trash bags from falling inwardly through the pressure ring 20 as trash is accumulated therein. The lids 30 of the present invention may be employed to prevent vermin from entering trash bags supported in the container 70 and to prevent odors from escaping therefrom.

A conventional trash receiving container 80 is illustrated in FIG. 7. The support ring 28 of the present invention is equipped with a base 82 adapted for engagement with the open upper end of the receptacle 80 in the manner illustrated at 84. When the base 82 of the support ring 28 is engaged with the upper end of the receptacle 80 in the manner illustrated a trash bag is extended through the support ring 28 until the closed end thereof engages the closed bottom end of the receptacle 80. Thereafter the openable end of the trash bag is draped around the periphery of the support ring 28. Thereafter the pressure ring 28 of the present invention is engaged with the interior surface of the openable end of the trash bag to secure the trash bag in engagement with the pressure ring 20 and to prevent the trash bag from falling inwardly into the receptacle 80 under the weight of trash accumulated therein. The lid 30 of the present invention is employed to prevent vermin from entering a trash bag secured within the receptacle 80 and to prevent odors from escaping therefrom.

FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 illustrate a trash container 90 comprising the present invention. The trash container 90 comprises a right circular cylinder having and open bottom and equipped with the support ring 20 of the present invention at the upper end thereof. The pressure ring 28 of the present invention is equipped for mating engagement with the support ring 20 to secure a trash bag received within the container 90 in an open figuration and to prevent the trash bag from falling inwardly into the container 90 as it is filled with trash.

FIG. 9 further illustrates a relationship between the right circular cylinder comprising the container 90, the support ring 20 thereof, a trash bag T received within the container 90, and the use of the pressure ring 28 to secure the openable end of the trash bag T in an open configuration and to prevent the trash bag T from falling inwardly into the container 90 when it is filled with trash. As is illustrated in FIG. 10 the container 90 may be provided with the top 30 of the present invention to prevent vermin from entering a trash bag supported within the container 90 and to prevent odors from escaping therefrom.

FIG. 11 illustrates a trash bag receiving apparatus 100 comprising a frame 102 having a shape which is reminiscent of the shape of the frame 12 of the trash bag supporting apparatus 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. A support ring 20 comprising the present invention is provided at the upper end of the frame 102. In the use of the apparatus 100 a conventional trash bag is supported by the frame 102 with the closed end of the trash bag supported by the bottom wall 104 thereof and the openable end of the trash bag draped around the periphery of the support ring 20. Thereafter the pressure ring 28 of the present invention is engaged with the interior surface of the openable end of the trash bag in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3A thereby securing the trash bag in its open configuration and preventing the trash bag from falling inwardly when trash is accumulated therein. The lid 30 of the present invention maybe employed to prevent vermin from entering trash bags supported on the apparatus 100 and to prevent odors from emanating therefrom.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for maintaining the openable end of a trash bag in an open configuration comprising: a support ring comprising an interior circular cylindrical surface extending at a predetermined angle relative to horizontal for receiving the openable end of the trash bag therethrough with the exterior surface of the trash bag draped around the periphery of the surface; a pressure ring having an exterior circular cylindrical surface extending at the same angle relative to the horizontal as the interior circular cylindrical surface of the support ring for engagement with the interior surface of the openable end of a trash bag received draped around the periphery of the support ring and thereby retaining the openable end of the trash bag in an open configuration and preventing the trash bag from falling inwardly through the support ring upon the receipt of trash therein.
 2. The apparatus according to the claim 1 wherein the circular cylindrical surfaces of the support ring and the pressure ring extend at an angle of about 70° relative to horizontal.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the pressure ring is further characterized by an interior surface and further including a lid for engaging the interior surface of the pressure ring.
 4. A trash bag supporting apparatus comprising: a frame comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion comprising an upper vertical support wall having a support ring extending perpendicularly therefrom, the lower portion comprising a lower vertical support wall and a base extending therefrom; a pressure ring for maintaining a trash bag in mating engagement with the ring of the upper portion; means for adjustably fastening the upper portion with the lower portion when the upper portion is in an upright position; and at least one wheel coupled to the lower portion of the base for transporting the apparatus.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the upper portion of the frame may be adjusted between first and second positions, the first position enabling the apparatus to support a smaller-sized trash bag, the second position enabling the apparatus to support a larger-sized trash bag.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the means for adjustably fastening the upper portion to the lower portion secured to the lower vertical support wall and fasteners extending through apertures bored into the upper vertical support wall.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising means for fastening the upper portion to the lower portion when the upper portion is in an inverted position including an upper lip below the support ring which is received into an opening in the lower vertical support wall and a lower lip on the base which is received in an opening in the upper vertical support wall. 